Hacking into a business is, 99% of the time, a malicious act aimed at damaging an organisation.
But penetration testing is that 1%, where it’s actually an incredibly safe and skilful way to find how you can improve your business.
In this guide, we’ll cover what penetration testing is, how it works, the process, and why it’s important for your business.
What is penetration testing in cybersecurity?
Penetration testing is a controlled cyberattack performed by professionals, designed to identify gaps in your security before actual cybercriminals do.
Now, on its own, that sounds like a high-level risk that’s going to jeopardise your business, but in fact, it’s one of the best ways to improve your cybersecurity.
Through specialised cyber security penetration testing, you can gain a realistic assessment of your security.
How does penetration testing work?
So, how does penetration testing differ from the automated scanners you’re probably already using, and why should you be using both to protect your business?
While automated scanners look for flaws in your site and security infrastructure, penetration testing utilises a certified ethical hacker who uses their own creative skills and intuition to mimic a typical real-world cyberattack.
The human-led approach to pen testing offers a distinct avenue of testing that typical automated software cannot perform.
Both methods of testing are incredibly important and should be used hand in hand, but they perform very different functions for very different reasons.
By doing so, your business is taking the extra measures necessary to ensure it is completely protected from potential cyberattacks.
The process of penetration testing
It’s decided in advance by the company and the service provider what can be attacked and how.
The hacker will then gather information about the target to find weak spots in the security that they can exploit.
Service providers will usually have a list of software and applications that allow them to probe systems, checking for outdated software or security gaps.
Then the main part of the test – the attempt to bypass security. The hacker will see how far they can get and the data they can obtain that could put that business at risk.
Once the test is complete, the hacker will provide the company with a detailed report on how they got in, what they were able to access, and how to fix these vulnerabilities.
Why is pen testing important for your business?
Relying solely on passive defences leaves massive blind spots. By utilising professional pen testing services, your team receives actionable threat intelligence instead of a mountain of confusing alert noise.
When you’re actively browsing for pen testing services, selecting a dependable and secure IT partner is vital to ensuring that specialists deliver proper service.
Read more: 10 things to look for in your new IT provider
Next steps
One of the first questions asked by organisations is how much does pen testing cost? That all depends on the extent of your service, who you choose to go with, and how big your business is.
The best way to find out is to speak with a trusted cybersecurity team about your options for ethical hacking and pen testing.
